ES347774A1 - A programming apparatus for controlling the operation of an appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

Programme control apparatus for starting and stopping an appliance at preset times and which can also be used for manual control has a rotary knob 21 which is movable either way from an off position to provide manual or automatic control respectively, and when axially depressed returns immediately to its off position. The embodiment described actuates electrical contacts by a rotary cam 27, but it is stated that the stem of a fluid-control valve may be actuated instead of contacts. Rotation of knob 21 in either direction turns a spindle 26 via gears 23, 24, 25, and a portion 57 of a member 47 secured thereon stresses a coil spring 53 which thus tends to restore the spindle 26 to its neutral position. A latching member 45 on spindle 26 is free to tilt by virtue of the bevel 55 but is angularly coupled to member 47 by means of fingers 46 thereon. When knob 21 is turned to its " manual " position (MAN, Fig. 1, not shown), member 45 latches behind a ramp (54, Fig. 5, not shown) on a fixed plate 42, and spindle 26 is restrained in angular position wherein a cam 27 on the end thereof acts on a follower 28a to displace a spindle 28 against spring 35 and holds movable contacts 30, 31 in bridging engagement with fixed contacts 32, 33. When knob 21 is turned to " automatic running" (AR) member 45 latches behind a timing spindle (60, Fig. 6, not shown) and the contacts are maintained in the open condition. At the " on " time (preset by a spindle 20, Figs. 1 and 6, not shown), timing mechanism driven by a synchronous motor (2, Fig. 2, not shown) causes spindle (60) to be withdrawn and member 45 moves into latching engagement with another timing spindle (59)-the consequent rotation of spindle 26 closing the contacts 30, 31, 32, 33 and causing knob 21 to rotate to an " automatic" (AUT) position. When spindle (59) is withdrawn at the " off " time (preset by reverse rotation of the spindle 20) the member 45 is released, spindle 26 is fully restored and the contacts are opened. If knob 21 is set to " automatic " (AUT) the contacts are immediately closed and opened, as above, at the preset " off " time. In the " manual " (MAN), " automatic " (AUT) or " automatic running " (AR) positions of knob 21, depression of the knob (against spring 44) pivots a lever 39 about pin 40 and causes a collar 58 to tilt the member 45, thereby releasing it from its respective latched position and immediately restoring the knob 21, spindle 26 and contacts 30, 31, 32, 33 to the " off" condition. Details of a time-drive uni-directional rotation mechanism (Figs. 2 and 3, not shown), and an alarm contact (75, Fig. 7, not shown) independently settable by a knob (72, Fig. 1, not shown) are also disclosed.